Christmas Morning...

Christmas morning was so much fun this year. Lizzie is just old enough to really get into opening all those presents and enjoy it. She was hilarious. Every time she would get a present she'd start to get all excited and say what's inside, what's inside? Of course she immediately wanted to play with whatever it was she just received, and didn't like the concept of just putting it to the side to open more. She had so many though from everyone that she would open a present between all three of ours, and I think she was more than done by the time we got half way through. Ben had the video camera up the whole time, so when he gets around to capturing some of that tape I'll put it up here too. Thanks for all the presents everybody!

Heidi and her millions of towels

And Ben thought he got away without assembling anything on Christmas. ;)

Lizzie was the first one of us to play Rockband

Lizzie's new favorite game

Christmas Eve...

Here's some pictures from Christmas Eve. After we went with Heidi to her church's Christmas Eve service, we opened stockings that night, as usual, and of course Lizzie didn't want to stop at only a couple presents.

Ah, what a long night that was... but it was really fun being all stealthy and trying not to laugh too loud (in case Lizzie heard us) as we finished wrapping the rest of our presents and putting them under the tree. Fun times that's for sure.

It's around 2am and we're really tired.. can you tell?!

The First Couple Days at Home...

I cannot begin to tell you how nice it's been to be at home instead of stuck in a little room at the hospital and so far we're not going back (we don't want a repeat of last time were I go back to the hospital). It feels like it's been a busy last couple of days though, I don't know maybe it's just the lack of sleep that makes it feel that way. ;) Abby had her very first bath... which she absolutely hated by the way, she's definitely not a water lover like Lizzie is. I also had my first post surgery check up on Friday... yeah no more itchy staples! My appointment went really well... no fever, no high blood pressure, no infections, and I'm apparently healing quite nicely. So far no issues and I'd like to keep it that way. I don't have another appointment until after the new year, but Abby has her first baby doctor visit this next Monday (Christmas Eve). She's doing extremely well so I can't imagine the appointment taking very long. She's such a quiet little baby. So content and mellow... completely polar opposite of Lizzie (it's a very nice contrast actually).

Speaking of Lizzie I think she's finally, slowly adjusting to having a new baby around all the time. That first night we brought Abby home was a complete and total mess. I had never seen Lizzie throw a tantrum to the likes of that before. Good thing that was the only one she's had. At least she doesn't get mad when you talk about Abby any more, but she's extremely possessive of her daddy. To the point were Ben can't even hold the baby if he's doing something with Lizzie. Lizzie's also a little confused when it comes to certain things like bedtime and why she has to go to bed when the baby gets to stay up with us (or so it seems to her) or why Abby gets to sleep in our room every night when she has to sleep in her own bed. Poor girl, I'm sure she'll mellow out over time... we'll just have to wait and see. Well it's time for another cup of coffee! ;)

Abby's Here...

Abigail Marie Van Dyken was born on Monday December 17th at 7:08pm, she weighed 7 lbs 13 oz. and was 18 1/2 inches long. Abby was originally supposed to be here on the 26th, but then was bumped up to the 19th and came even earlier, because when I went to my doctor's appointment that Monday everything was great (my blood pressure was even way down) except over the weekend her fluid level (or I guess the fluid in my belly) was significantly reduced. So we checked into the hospital that night expecting to have the baby the next morning at 10am, but I started going into labor fairly quickly and everything was placed into fast forward mode and we were in surgery only an hour after checking in. I guess Abby really wanted to come early.

Surgery went really well considering what little I remember of the last one, but all I know was it was really nice not having to be so drugged up and exhausted from a long day of labor and then surgery. I didn't even get sick this time in the recovery room... yeah! When I got back to our room after surgery Ben, Abby and Aunt Heidi were all settled in and I was actually able to enjoy their company and be with it enough to have a normal conversation. I felt pretty good for just having a baby.

Recovery is going really well. I feel a lot better than last time and we actually were discharged from the hospital a day early since I was doing so well. So last night, Wednesday, was our very first night at home (it was so nice to be home... we all missed it) and I already have a check up tomorrow afternoon to get my staples removed.

Lizzie was really funny with her new baby sister. For that first night (and most of the next day) Abby wouldn't open her eyes at all and Lizzie kept saying that the "baby won't work". I guess she thought she was like a baby doll that when you lift up the head the eyes open and when you lay it down the eyes close. So, Lizzie thought Abby was broken the first day she saw her sister. Tiny, baby won't work, finally opened her eyes and they're just as bright blue as Lizzie's. Lizzie did really well with the new baby she even helped daddy feed her. We'll have to wait and see how she does the next couple of days at home when Abby's with her all day.

Here's some pictures to enjoy. They're a little out of order, but I'm sure you won't mind! ;)

Abby getting ready to go home... it's been a long time since someone's been able to fit in that seat!

My favorite new picture... Our first night at home

Lizzie holding Abby for the first time

My two baby girls!

Lizzie feeding her baby sister for the first time

Daddy's arms are kind of full

She totally looks like daddy when he was a baby. Everything looks just like Ben even the nose with the dimple underneath... everything except for the bright blue eyes.

Right after surgery holding Abby for the first time

This is Ben's little area of our room. He even got his own bed this time instead of a chair.

A Nice Relaxing Day...

Yesterday we went to the farm to just get outside and enjoy the weather (plus Lizzie really wanted to feed the pony... it's all she's talked about since last Thursday). It was a really nice day to go and do absolutely nothing, but just walk around. We've been down here for a year now and I'm still not use to the weather yet, by now it would be all rainy and windy in San Francisco, but I guess this is the land of no seasons. Ben loves it... I don't know what to think of it... I kind of miss the rain. Anyways, here's some pictures of our day.

Lizzie giving kisses to the pony... she was a lot closer, but my camera's a little slow. ;)

Somebody needs a haircut

Lizzie and marshmallow, the pony.

She could have stayed there all day if they let her.

Insomniac's Christmas Card...

Just thought I'd share... Ben and I think the card is pretty cool since the little fish head guys were one of the main characters he animated in the game, and he ended up on the company card (well at least part of him anyways). Not that Ben can take all the credit for such a cool looking bad guy, he only animated what was already designed, modeled, and textured, but I think they're some of the funnest characters in the game to watch. Anyways, just thought some of you would enjoy.

A Few of Ben's Favorite Things...

Well, not really! ;) I am completely and totally convinced that if Lizzie wasn't here I'd be decorating for Christmas all by myself. It's not like we have a whole lot of stuff to decorate with anyways, but for some reason he just doesn't enjoy it and thinks that it's a waste of time... maybe it's a guy thing I don't know, but with someone with so much resistance at first he seems to enjoy it once he starts (as long as no Christmas music is playing that is) and he really likes playing his video games by the glow of Christmas lights! ;)

Lizzie was old enough this year to actually help put the ornaments on the tree and was so excited when Ben brought up the boxes and started putting up the tree. Since she's only a little over 2 years old, she didn't have the longest of attention spans, but between playing with her toys and running all over the house, we managed to finish the tree. I can't wait until Christmas, Lizzie will be so much fun this year. Too bad we can't be with all the family this year (kind of stuck with a little baby coming really soon), but at least Auntie Heidi will be able to join us. Yea... December is finally here.

Happy Thanksgiving...

So, we had Thanksgiving at our house this year again and it was a very nice and relaxing day... thanks Heidi! ;) Heidi actually took care of everything and it turned out fantastic. If I wasn't so pregnant I would have protested and cooked dinner for everyone, but it was really nice to have someone else do it this year. It was slightly strange having someone cook in your own kitchen though, I don't know how to explain it, it's just weird not having any part in what's going on in there. And poor Heidi, we all know my kitchen is teeny, tiny (it only has 2 feet of counter space) it's like cooking in a bathroom sometimes. ;) But regardless of the lack of space, dinner turned out wonderful. Then of course we were all incredibly tired... there was so much food. Afterwards we sat around and watched Ben play Halo 3, Heidi played Guitar Hero for the first time, and we played Hungry, Hungry Hippos until Lizzie was tired of it (which didn't take too long). I even got to take an hour nap! It turned out to be a very good day. Thanks again for all your hard work Heidi, Ben and I really appreciate it (you could have made Ben do the dishes though... it wouldn't have hurt him) and thanks to those of you who contributed to our wonderful dinner (you know who you are)! Happy Thanksgiving!

Somebody's tired already

My tiny, little kitchen... I don't think you can fit anyone else in there. ;)

Lizzie and her corn

She loves the stuff, but it seems she helped herself to a little too much

Helping daddy get some corn

Sparkling cider for the very first time. She liked it, but didn't know what to think of the carbonated fizz, it was pretty funny to see her reaction, she said it was "hot juice".